Tech
Googles Gemini AI is coming for your car, watch, and TV

Starting soon, Google Gemini will be available on your watch, in your car, and on your TV.
At The Android Show, an Android-focused mini event leading up to Google I/O, the tech giant announced that its Gemini AI model will be integrated into Wear OS, Android Auto and Google Built-in, and Google TV.
With Wear OS in the coming months, Google Pixel Watch users will be able to verbally give Gemini reminders or ask it to pull up event details, such as upcoming dinner reservations. Because of Gemini integration across Google Workspace apps, it can access information from your calendar and emails.
For drivers who like to get things done in their cars, senior Android UX director Guemmy Kim shared ways Gemini works with its car dashboard apps. Users can ask for summaries of texts they received, translate messages into other languages, and even ask for help cheating on their book club by asking for a synopsis of Pride and Prejudice and discussion points.

Credit: Google
Indeed, the ability to cut corners in work and everyday life seemed to be one of Gemini's key selling points in the presentation. In an earlier part of the livestream, Senior Android Product Manager Rohan Shah demoed using Gemini to take a look at a long pre-event email. "I could have and should have gone through it myself, but I have Gemini here to help," said Shah.
Gemini will come to the Android Auto app first, and then to Google Built-In for cars manufactured with Google's operating system.
One area of our lives that doesn't ask anything from us is the TV, where Google is also adding Gemini. In the same way that streaming platforms like Netflix are adding new AI features, Gemini is coming to Google TV. The event touted potential use cases like using natural language to ask for custom movie recommendations or pulling up information and educational YouTube videos. This feature is also rolling out in the coming months, presumably as Android 16 goes live. Google also shared that Gemini will come to Android XR next year.

Credit: Google
Of course, this was just the pre-Google I/O event focused on Android. Next week, we expect many, many more Gemini AI announcements from Google-land, so stay tuned.
Tech
Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 12, 2025

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.
If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
Where did Wordle come from?
Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once.
Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.
What's the best Wordle starting word?
The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.
What happened to the Wordle archive?
The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.
Is Wordle getting harder?
It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.
Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:
A migrant.
Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?
There are no recurring letters.
Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with…
Today's Wordle starts with the letter N.
The Wordle answer today is…
Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.
Drumroll please!
The solution to today's Wordle is…
NOMAD.
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.
Tech
Truth Socials new AI search is woke enough to disagree with Trump

Less than a week after announcing a new Perplexity-powered AI search engine with reportedly tight reins on its sources, Truth Social's AI tool is already contradicting its most famous co-founder.
Truth Search AI, a new platform-based answer bot built on Perplexity Sonar API, was launched by Trump Media and Technology Group to "increase the amount of information" available to users and offer "direct, contextually accurate answers with transparent citations." Despite the commitment to a broader information environment, Perplexity representatives explained the search tool's sources could be customized by its overseers (known as source selection). In early tests by Axios, Truth Search AI's answers appeared to be limited to sourcing from traditionally conservative outlets, including FoxNews.com and FoxBusiness.com, compared to Perplexity's standard engine.
But, even with this curation, Truth Search AI isn't easily falling in line with the Trump Administration's standard talking points. In an analysis by the Washington Post, the AI tool repeatedly countered claims made by the President rather than reaffirming statements he has previously posted on Truth Social as factually correct, including the impact of international tariffs on American consumers and the need for federal intervention in what Trump has claimed is a crime-riddled national capital.
“Their own AI is now being too ‘woke’ for them,” David Karpf, a George Washington University professor, told the publication. The tool still cited primarily conservative entertainment and news sources in its citations, but its conclusions might not be as cut and dry as expected. Trump Media declined to provide comment to the Washington Post, calling their findings "transparently asinine" reporting by "irrelevant partisan hacks."
Part of what he claims to be a government-wide "truth-seeking" mission, Trump has recently attacked what he calls "Woke AI," or Large Language Models that are, in his eyes, "ideologically biased" and driven by diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Last month, Trump issued an Executive Order intended to promote "unbiased AI" in federal contracting and national security. Meanwhile, the administration has brokered several deals with top AI companies to provide services to the federal government, including $200 million Pentagon contracts with OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, and Elon Musk-owned xAI.
Tech
Who is Ashby? The hilarious, viral TikTok creator dressing up as the Lorax and Hamilton
Sometime this week, a TikTok star was born — and she wore an orange, spandex jumpsuit and an oversized fake, yellow mustache. I'm talking, of course, about @_ashbyflorence_.
You've likely seen Ashby if you've logged onto TikTok in the last week or so. Maybe you've seen her on a live stream, or you've seen the viral clips, or you've seen people reacting to the clips, or you've seen others talking about how funny she is. Regardless, she's recently become a fixture on FYPs everywhere, mine included.
Perhaps you're like me, randomly spouting quotes from a woman on TikTok dressed as the Lorax or Alexander Hamilton. Things like, "I'm baaaashful" in a vaguely Midwest accent, or "I'm joooking," or sticking out your tongue, lizard-like, as a punchline. I can't imagine I'm alone in this experience, the strange, viral comedy of Ashby worming into your daily life.
So…who is Ashby?
Best I can tell, Ashby's real name is Ashby Florence and she works a real job doing PR for an entertainment company. (Mashable has reached out to Florence and will update if we receive a response)
But we're not talking Ashby the IRL person, we're talking the suddenly viral comedian. Like others on TikTok recently, she gained some traction recently dressing up as Alexander Hamilton, which somehow became a trend. This lip sync post, for instance, racked up nearly 12 million views.
In general, Ashby channels a version of Hamilton that was fed up and pressed for time. It's pretty funny.
But the best stuff, the funniest stuff — in my opinion — is Ashby's livestreams. They've created an entire ecosystem of clips, especially the ones with Ashby dressed up as the Lorax. Now…why the Lorax? Well, visually, it's funny, and others have dressed like the Lorax on TikTok before. But you haven't really seen it until you see Ashby do it. Her comedic timing, plus the vaguely Midwest accent, plus the big mustache, the big feet, the belly, it's just…perfect. I mean, just watch this post from Ashby that is part Lorax, part Norm from Cheers, part Andrew Dice Clay, part Tim Robinson… part…I don't know.
Why does she stick her tongue out for a punchline? Who knows, but I love it. Why the rough edits? Again, ditto. Why pronounce squirrels like that? Again, love it. People on TikTok have taken to clipping her live streams, pouring over their favorite moments. It's pretty hilarious stuff, and totally strange, and has taken my FYP hostage.
Ashby is a perfect creator for 2025. She's admitted she hasn't seen The Lorax and openly says "give me money" followed with a ITYSL-esque "I'm jokinnnn." She literally talks (in Lorax voice) about milking her viral moment. She re-treads catchphrases like "I'm baaaashful" and makes crass, silly jokes. Not to read too much into a funny person dressing up as the Lorax, but Ashby openly mocks the idea of creators acting like they don't post for the cash. And people really love it. The reaction online has been nearly universally positive, as far as I can tell.
So, what now?
As far as I can tell, the world of Ashby's content is vast. There are videos of her as the Lorax and Hamilton, of course, but also Pitbull (of course) and, well, herself. There are lots of clips to peruse through because livestreams obviously last longer than the typical TikTok.
And Ashby also has another livestream planned for Tuesday around 9 p.m. ET. It's only listed as a surprise character with the description, "I hope I don’t get too bashful." My personal hope is we get more of the Lorax. But whatever it is, we can rest assured it'll be funny and truly strange.
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